Celebrating Disability Pride Month: Eddie Nieves-Tañon

Eddie was also featured on the cover of USTA Florida’s 75th Anniversary Special Edition Magazine. Click here to view the magazine.

Eddie Nieves-Tañon, a wheelchair tennis player, rediscovered a passion for tennis in 2019 and has been an influential figure for all. Despite his challenges, Eddie competes in USTA tournaments and is a mentor to new players, finding joy and community in the sport. As USTA Florida honors Disability Pride Month, his story is one of resilience and the transformative power of tennis.  

There are No Limits in Life  

Eddie’s life took an unexpected turn in 2011, when he found out he had Transverse Myelitis, a rare neurological condition that caused inflammation of his spinal cord. Transverse Myelitis is inflammation of the spinal cord and can lead to partial or complete paralysis. This life-altering event made Eddie wheelchair-bound, but he wouldn’t let that stop him from living his life. 

This condition led Eddie to physical and emotional challenges, leading to a period of depression and inactivity. “I wanted to have something that would help me health wise and get out of this funk and depressed state,” he said.  

His rejuvenation came in 2019, while at the USTA National Campus pro-shop. Eddie ran into Jason Allen, a leader of Team USA for wheelchair tennis at the time. Jason, being heavily involved with wheelchair tennis, introduced him to the National Rollers program, which provides free clinics.  

“I picked a racquet when I was about 12 years old for tennis summer classes my mother put me in but after that never again, that was until 2019,” he recalled. “I wanted to do something that would get me out of the house, distract me for a bit.” With renewed hope and determination, Eddie embraced the chance to return to the sport, seeking both physical exercise and mental relief.  

Getting Involved with Wheelchair Tennis  

Eddie started in the National Rollers program until the Covid pandemic halted activities. However, the program resumed in April 2022, allowing Eddie to rejoin and immerse himself in tennis once again. “I’m currently playing in tournaments sanctioned by the USTA all over the states,” he said. “I also go to the clinic on Saturdays at the USTA National Campus, plus I practice regularly mid-week with another guy who just started and I’m teaching him the basics.”  

For Eddie, tennis is more than a sport, it’s his lifeline. “I love being involved with new people who are just starting, especially to get them comfy in their wheelchair,” he said. The camaraderie among players at tournaments, the friendships formed, and the joy of competition provide an unmatched sense of community. Tennis has significantly improved Eddie’s mental state, giving him a purpose and a way to help others. It’s also an excellent form of exercise, contributing to his overall well-being. 

Despite being almost 48, Eddie has set his sights on reaching the International Tennis Federation (ITF) level. He has already won numerous accolades and trophies in his division, but he wants to achieve more in wheelchair tennis. “I think I could get better, improve, and get to ITF level,” Eddie said, showcasing his determination and passion for the sport.   

Encouraging Others to Get Started  

Eddie is proactive in spreading the word about the sport, encouraging other wheelchair-bound individuals to give tennis a try and experience all the benefits mentally and physically. “I’ve met quite a few people that are wheelchair bound and told them about the free clinics that are given on Saturday by the USTA,” he said. “I also tell them what a great sport it is and that it’s an awesome way to exercise or do something different.” 

Eddie has met so many people throughout his life, especially since 2019 that motivated him, and pushed him to play tennis. He remains vocal and at the forefront of improving wheelchair tennis for all in the Florida community. 

“The most pressing issue for Florida wheelchair tennis is that there’s not enough information,” Eddie said. “What little information we have is not getting to where it needs to, like physical therapy places, rehab centers, and even placing some announcements at the entrance of the USTA National Campus.” Eddie also hopes to see more wheelchair tennis showcases throughout the state and the world.  

Embracing Diversity and Inclusion 

Living and playing tennis in Florida, Eddie values the importance of embracing and learning from different cultures. “That’s what makes this country so diverse and great at the same time,” he said. “We can always learn from others and vice versa!” As a Puerto Rican, Eddie appreciates the diversity of his community and believes that inclusivity enriches the tennis experience and society as a whole. 

For Eddie, tennis is a comprehensive sport that offers mental and physical challenges, structure, and health benefits. “Tennis is important because it has created a sense that I can do a sport that is as complete, mentally and physically, as there can be,” he said. “Tennis is a very inclusive sport where it can be played in and out of a wheelchair, which also has many different divisions to place people in depending on their injury, movement or lack of!” 

Tennis has given Eddie a renewed sense of purpose and a platform to inspire others, demonstrating that resilience and passion can lead to extraordinary achievements, no matter the obstacles. 

Eddie is an amazing reminder that no one can put limitations on what you want to accomplish in your life, no matter the challenges. He takes pride in being a wheelchair tennis player as well as helping others improve their game. Although he hasn’t been involved in tennis his entire life, Eddie is thrilled to assist others, the way Jason Allen did by opening the door to tennis, helping him go back to a normal life, filled with joy, positivity, and fun!